At the All Pilton World Conker Championships in The Reform Inn, Pilton, on Sunday 27th October, twenty eight intrepid conker players chose their weapons, drilled and strung them and then engaged in a battle to the death – of the conker that is.  The conkers were all provided by Tim Webster from a horsechestnut tree at Bradiford House, Bradiford.

The Final of the All Pilton World Conker Championships

After a couple of hours of conker fights, the winner was Paul (right) and the runner up Charlie (left) and they were presented with their cups for 2013 to the applause of the crowd.  Well done the organisers Esther and Gavin of The Reform Inn.

On 9th September Ian Thomas, Deputy Headteacher of Pilton Bluecoat School from 1978 to 1997, and his wife Sue Thomas, who became School Secretary during that time, visited The Pilton Story from their home in North Yorkshire.  In 1982, Ian got closely involved in the Rev. Anthony Geering‘s idea of resurrecting Pilton Festival and, with Anthony, Albert Linacre and Noel Harley, he formed the core of the first Festival Committee.  Those of you who have seen the film ‘Pilton Festival 1982‘ will know that Anthony Geering turned up dressed in green – like Robin Hood.  But, added to the carving in the Church, the idea caught on and, as they say, “The rest of the Pilton Green Man Festival story is history”.

Ian and Sue Thomas

We will be posting a short interview with Ian talking about that first Festival on The Pilton Story in the near future.  In the meantime, he has written about ‘Pilton Festival : The Early Years’ which can be read on the archive by following that link.